CMWKSD -Chapter 127 The Results Are Announced Again

Time passed quickly, and Jiu Yue missed the meals Shen Mei used to make.

The cook here had been found with Shao Qing’s utmost effort—apparently, she had previously worked in a high-ranking official’s household. But compared to Shen Mei’s skills, Jiu Yue still felt something was missing.

Everything was too refined; she wasn’t sure whether she was eating delicious food or just admiring it.

Fortunately, the results of the imperial examinations were about to be announced. Once the list was published and the palace exams were over, Ji Yiqing and Ji Chaomian’s academic journey would essentially be complete, and they could begin their official careers.

Jiu Yue had no doubt that Ji Yiqing and Ji Chaomian would pass. After all, the tutor Shen Jiangjun had arranged for them had already had them memorize past exam answers.

Though claiming first place might be a stretch, as long as the chief examiner wasn’t capricious, they should easily make it into the top twenty.

When the announcement day arrived, Jiu Yue was excited to see the results for the first time.

This was her future security; how could she not take a look?

But as soon as she stepped outside and the carriage had moved only a short distance, the massive crowd immediately discouraged her.

She jumped straight down from the carriage and told the stunned Ji Yiqing and Ji Chaomian on board, “I think it’s just as well to wait at home for you to come back; no need for extra surprises.”

Then, holding her skirts, she dashed back.

Ji Chaomian looked at Ji Yiqing’s disappointed face and shook his head helplessly.

Jiu Yue was ruthless, bloody, and seemed sharp and formidable. Yet when it came to matters of men and women, she clearly knew nothing.

Their younger brother was deeply infatuated, but it was obvious that Jiu Yue had no romantic feelings whatsoever. She simply thought, once the two were married, they were husband and wife—that was all.

But that was enough; in this world, how few couples truly love each other? Most marriages were arranged by parents or matchmakers.

Ji Chaomian comforted the disappointed Ji Yiqing: “It’s alright; that’s just our sister-in-law’s temperament. Don’t be too sad. Besides, with so many people at the announcement, it’s not like Jiu Yue could be harmed in any way.”

Actually, it wasn’t fear of harm—it was fear that Jiu Yue might get angry, then start a bloodbath or go on a rampage. They might be at the announcement one moment and at the Jingzhao Prefecture the next.

Ji Yiqing pressed his lips together. “I’m not sad.”

He just didn’t know why he kept wanting to cling to Jiu Yue. But he was too embarrassed to say this even to his own brother.

By near noon, when the brothers still hadn’t returned, Jiu Yue had to applaud her own wise and courageous decision.

Soon after, the alley began to ring with drums and gongs, and Jiu Yue paused in surprise.

She ran out quickly, and sure enough, the official announcing the results had arrived at their residence.

Shao Qing stood at the gate, already radiating the aura of a steward.

“Ten years of hard study lead to today; the golden list brings ecstasy to those named…”

Only after Shao Qing handed a pouch to the official did Jiu Yue finally relax.

Ji Yiqing and Ji Chaomian were still on the road, but the official had arrived.

Ji Chaomian ranked nineteenth, and Ji Yiqing twenty-third.

The brothers’ results were excellent, and Jiu Yue was practically bouncing in circles at the gate.

Even though they weren’t the top scholars, these results were impressive for rural boys. One could almost say their ancestors were smiling from the afterlife.

Shao Qing gave the official silver coins so he could return to Qing Shui County with drums and gongs announcing the news.

Jiuzhouye and the others came out happily as well. As long as the two passed, their own pressure would be greatly reduced. Otherwise, Jiu Yue would keep an eye on them, and they were already almost traumatized by it.

When Ji Yiqing and Ji Chaomian finally returned, the official was still enjoying tea at the house—they insisted on personally seeing the successful examinees.

After sending off the official, the door hadn’t even closed before a matchmaker arrived.

Jiu Yue’s eyes nearly popped out. She had heard of the custom in the capital to choose husbands from the list of successful candidates, but she never expected it to happen to Ji Yiqing and Ji Chaomian.

Ji Yiqing politely refused the matchmaker with a bow—after all, he was already married.

The matchmaker then looked at Jiu Yue, clearly having researched her background. She was the daughter of a government official, which already made her far more advantageous than a powerless orphan like Jiu Yue.

If Jiu Yue were sensible, she should step aside and allow Ji Yiqing to have a bright future.

Hearing the matchmaker’s twisted arguments, Jiu Yue snorted coldly: “If a man must rely on his wife or father-in-law for everything, what does that say? It says he’s incompetent! Such a man won’t achieve anything.”

The matchmaker shot back, “You—this is jealousy! If you break the seven rules, Master Ji should divorce you immediately.”

Jiu Yue leaned back in her chair. “Let him try!”

She didn’t bother being polite at such a joyful time.

“Shao Qing, show them out!” she ordered.

She added, “From now on, any matchmaker, whether to arrange a concubine or a wife, gets chased out with a big stick!”

The matchmaker was furious. In this era, people generally didn’t offend matchmakers lightly—parents’ and matchmakers’ words were important. But Jiu Yue didn’t care; she wasn’t the one marrying off anyone.

Shao Qing remained polite: “Please, madam.”

“Humph!”

Jiu Yue returned to the main hall and saw Ji Chaomian, suddenly remembering something. When she first arrived here, Ji Yiqing was nineteen (by East Asian reckoning), now almost two years later, making him twenty-one.

Ji Chaomian was two years older, making him twenty-three. In ancient times, that was an age where children were already running around everywhere.

Jiu Yue cleared her throat and looked at Ji Chaomian: “Big brother, your own wife—pay attention!”

Ji Chaomian: ???

“I have no such plan yet,” he said, thinking there was no reason to go around picking a wife in public. That would be illogical.

Ji Yiqing laughed helplessly: “It’s fine.”

After all, a big brother’s marriage should be managed by parents, not by the sister-in-law. And if Jiu Yue were in charge… well, they worried about ending up with a woman as formidable as Jiu Yue herself. That would make life quite eventful.

“After the palace exam, if Big Brother and I remain in the capital, we’ll let our parents handle the marriage properly; it shouldn’t be decided hastily.”

Jiu Yue nodded in agreement. “Makes sense.”

Look at her and Ji Yiqing’s blind marriage—it turned out so well!